Mapperton Gardens, Dorset

Tucked away amongst the gentle rolling hills of Dorset, near Beaminster, Mapperton Gardens is a peaceful 15-acre garden celebrated recently in The English Garden magazine. In summer, this remarkable Grade II* listed Italianate garden comes alive with vibrant planting, sculpted topiary, and sweeping woodland, creating one of the most enchanting landscapes in England.

In the upper terraced gardens, clipped yew hedges frame colourful herbaceous borders that cascade gently towards an orangery. And at the heart of the garden lies an elegant fountain ‘court’, an Italianate design introduced in the 1920s, where shimmering water, classical statues, hidden grottoes, and fragrant roses combine to create an atmosphere of timeless romance. It is this reserved and relaxed beauty that makes Mapperton renowned as one of West Dorset’s most romantic gardens.

Further down the valley, the formality of the terraces softens into a more natural landscape. Two long ponds trace the course of the stream through the valley, surrounded by specimen trees and shaded woodland walks within the arboretum. These lower gardens offer a cooler, quieter contrast to the sunlit terraces above, and there are panoramic views across the rolling Dorset hills and surrounding woodland.

I was lucky enough to photograph early in the morning, with the low sun emphasising the shape and structure of this fabulous garden; side lighting always helps when shooting shape and form, and the earlier in the morning (or later in the day, depending on the aspect of the garden) then the softer the shadows that give the ‘moulding’ of the shapes.

Worth a visit at any time of year, the gardens are open from March till october;

• Monday to Thursday: 10am – 4pm

• Sunday: 11am – 4pm

• Closed Fridays and Saturdays (except for special events)

The estate is currently owned and run by the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, Luke Montagu, and his wife Julie Montagu, who manage and restore Mapperton as a family home and visitor destination. They also have a brilliant YouTube channel here. Many thanks to them for letting me in!

The full set of images are available to license from me, and are viewable here in my garden feature library.